Data Centers Drive Demand for Skilled Tradespeople

The booming data center industry is creating high-paying jobs for electricians, HVAC technicians, and other tradespeople in local communities.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The data center industry is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by the rise of AI and the cloud. This growth is driving a surge in demand for skilled tradespeople like electricians, HVAC technicians, and pipefitters, who can earn 25-30% more in data centers than in other industries. Data centers are bringing economic opportunities and long-term construction jobs to the communities where they are located, but many people are unaware of these career possibilities. The article argues that data centers present a chance to enrich local economies and provide stable, high-paying jobs for tradespeople.

Why it matters

As the digital economy continues to expand, data centers are playing an increasingly vital role in driving economic growth and job creation across the country. However, the opportunities they present for tradespeople are often overlooked, leaving many communities unaware of the high-paying, long-term jobs available in this booming industry.

The details

Data centers account for about 50% of global data center capacity, with the US driving most of that activity. Demand for data center capacity is expected to double or quadruple in the next five years, requiring the industry to hire an additional 140,000 skilled tradespeople by 2030. These roles, which include electricians, HVAC technicians, pipefitters, and facilities technicians, often pay 25-30% more than similar jobs in other industries. Data center construction projects can last over a decade and employ thousands of tradespeople at peak, providing long-term, stable employment opportunities in local communities.

  • Data center employment rose 60% between 2017 and 2023.
  • The data center industry could need 140,000 more skilled tradespeople by 2030.
  • The Goodyear, Arizona data center campus will be under construction for 10-12 years, with between 500 and 2,000 people on site every day.

The players

Rick Crutchley

The Chief Operating Officer of Stream, a data center development company.

Jensen Huang

The CEO of Nvidia, an AI chipmaker.

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What they’re saying

“If you're an electrician, you're a plumber, a carpenter – we're going to need hundreds of thousands of them to build all of these [AI data centers].”

— Jensen Huang, CEO, Nvidia (Forbes)

“Some of the most urgent and large-scale work in our industry isn't done by software engineers or solutions architects crafting earth-shattering innovations. We're lucky to have many of those, but without the hands-on work of tradespeople, these ideas and optimizations wouldn't be realized, making trade workers some of the most vital talent around.”

— Rick Crutchley, Chief Operating Officer, Stream (datacenterknowledge.com)

What’s next

The article notes that data center developers are seeking to partner with local communities to establish programs that help more individuals take advantage of the rich career opportunities in the high-growth data center industry.

The takeaway

The data center industry's rapid growth is creating a surge in demand for skilled tradespeople, offering high-paying, long-term jobs in local communities. However, these opportunities are often overlooked, highlighting the need to raise awareness and build local talent pipelines to connect workers with these in-demand roles.